Page 53 of Silent Deception
But never once had she dreamed that he might end up on her doorstep with his obstinate brother...and not want to be there at all.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Garrett started snoringwithin minutes of hitting the couch in Kristin’s living room.
After starting a fire in the fireplace, Ryan dusted off his hands and went over to check on him. “If he didn’t weigh so much, I’d haul him out to the truck and take him home,” he muttered. “He looks like he’s well enough to travel.”
“Maybe, but he sure wasn’t faking how he felt an hour ago. That pain med is powerful stuff, so I’m sure he feels groggy. And every breath has to hurt, given those cracked ribs.” She winced, imagining it. “Just think how it hurt even more when he lost his cookies outside.”
“Maybe this will be a good lesson. Did you hear the nurse talking to him about his sprained wrist?” Ryan shook his head as he paced the darkened room. “He’s had it since the last rodeo. Never had it looked at, didn’t wrap it well, so all along he’s been making it worse by saddling and riding colts at the ranch. And that’s his rope hand when he rides bulls, yet he still went out there and rode. Just imagine the force and the torque on those weakened tendons. What was he thinking?”
“About all the fame and glory, I suppose. Maybe, about proving himself to people he admires very much.”
Ryan braced a hand on the mantel and stared into the flickering flames. “With his attitude, I can’t imagine who that would be.”
“You. Your father. Trevor.” Kristin perched on the arm of one of the upholstered chairs flanking the fireplace. “Just think about it. Your father is a powerful man—not just around here, but statewide. How can Garrett compete with that? Trevor is like Clint’s right hand and has a beautiful family. And you?” She smiled. “That’s like trying to best a superhero.”
The flames cast deep shadows on Ryan’s face, emphasizing the lines of exhaustion bracketing his mouth. “If that’s what he thinks, then he’s a lot more foolish than I thought.”
“What, because he admires a brother who travels the world and has made a career out of danger? I’ll bet Garrett has envied you all these years, imagining excitement and death-defying missions. What younger brother wouldn’t?”
“I’venevertold him about what I do.” Ryan bowed his head, his eyes closed. “He wouldn’t be so proud.”
“Then maybe,” she said gently, “it’s time to talk to him. I’ve heard about you around town, you know. You may not keep in touch with these people, but they all view you as a great hero.”
“Well, I’m not,” he said harshly. “I follow orders. I protect my men and I get the job done. But going through what I did doesn’t make me a hero. Not when—”
He broke off suddenly and paced the floor, his eyes bleak.
“You’ve been through a lot. The scars, what happened to your shoulder and knee—I can’t even imagine the pain.”
“It’s no more than I...” His voice trailed off as he pulled to a stop in front of the windows and stared out into the night.
“Than what? What youdeserve?”
She watched him for a moment, then rose and wrapped her arms around his waist. She rested her cheek against his hard-muscled back. “I know what kind of man you are, Ryan. I remember who you were in college, and that hasn’t changed in all these years. Whatever happened, I know it wasn’t your fault...and that you couldn’t have done more.” She took a deep breath. “I also know that it can help to talk.”
